Not just games then; Star Wars: Episode VIII delayed for 7 months

21 January 2016

By Miklós Szecsei

As video game dorks, we’re accustomed to delays. I’m willing to bet that ever single one of us experiences a disappointing game delay at least once or twice a year. We can now add the next Star Wars movie to that list of disappointing delays.

Star Wars: Episode VIII was meant to hit cinemas 26 May 2017 for a US summer time release. It has since been delayed to 15 December 2017. Something similar actually happened to the recently released The Force Awakens, which was due to release in May 2015, but got delayed to 16 December 2015 due to script issues.

According to Lucasfilm, the delay to Episode VIII is so that it can mimic the release schedule of The Force Awakens. Traditionally, Star Wars films have released in May, with all three movies of the original trilogy and the three prequels receiving May releases. However, there are rumours (according to website Entertainment Weekly) that the delay is actually due to scrip changes. Whatever the case, Episode VIII begins filming in the UK next month.

Don’t forget that we’re still getting a Star Wars film this year, as the anthology film Rogue One is due out on 16 December 2016. Rogue One is set prior to the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, and will tell the story of a group of Rebel spies who steal the plans to the original Death Star.

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